The perfect age for picking. No spines or glochids are on the pads at this age, only the vestigial leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

This picture has been taken on the Canary Islands, I have a lot more of this species, but all in slides. If interested let me know and I can make copy. Take note a lot of Cv are on the market as they are used 1) as cattle food 2) as human food, in Mex. you can find them on the market as Tuna, the are cut into slices and prepared just as green beans. 3) as culture substrat for the famous Cochenille. The famous bugs used to colour all kinds of stuff, yes madam even your lipstick is made with dryed cactus bugs!!

The tallest cactus in this picture is the Opuntia ficus-indica. Picture taken at the Rios-Caledonia Adobe, San Miguel, California, U.S.A.

A seedling.

Those are not "tunas" (prickly pears) on this cactus. They are Christmas ornaments. (San Antonio, Tx.)

this is the best variety for eating the leaves-almost no stickers-it has large fruit also-- that is good, -but not as rich a flavor as the more stickery kinds--

Well cleaned seeds. Wash them and they are still red. When dried, they look like this.

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Freshly Harvested at the perfect age. No spines or glochids are on the pads at this age, only the vestigial leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

this wall of plants goes on for about 50 yards, in Los Angeles arboretum, June

Diced & ready to freeze.

Near ripened fruit. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Near ripened fruit. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Large, Old and has Cochineal bug (The white specks). In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

A new pad emerging with the red then green leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

southern California

The pads may look smooth, but each areoles are armed with glochids.

The buds are forming right on the face of this pad.

Opuntia ficus-indica at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

I uploeaded this pic just to show that it can also grow in the shade and in humid weathers like the one Bs. As. has!